Among those we’re banking on is 25-year-old Nur Dhabitah Sabri, who is making her third appearance at the Games. She is one of just two athletes who are representing Malaysia in diving, the other being Bertrand Rhodict Lises.
But she almost didn’t make it: in February, Dhabitah and diving queen Pandelela Rinong were eliminated from participation when they failed to qualify for the top four in the 10m-platform event at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha.
However, things turned in Dhabitah’s favour thanks to the unused quota of athletes from other countries. She’s back in!
Dhabitah first made headlines in 2012 when she clinched two golds at the Southeast Asia Swimming Championships in Singapore. At the time, she was the youngest Malaysian diver.
“I was only 13, so I’m not sure I really knew what was happening,” she told FMT Lifestyle recently from Paris.
Since then, the Kuala Lumpur native has consistently brought home medals from international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Championships.
She narrowly missed out on winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, where she finished fourth in the 3m springboard individual final.
Despite her successes, she shared that being an athlete is no easy feat as it requires both physical endurance and mental resilience.
“Perfecting diving comes from a lot of repetition. It is what you need to do to achieve consistency,” said Dhabitah, who is an ambassador for activewear brand Under Armour.
She trains for at least six hours a day, six days a week. “It can be physically exhausting and can lead to soreness. Mentally, I train myself to overcome these challenges, pushing through exhaustion to maintain focus.”
Her first plunge into the pool began when she was seven. “I’ve always enjoyed spending time in the water,” she said. “So, when my father learnt about diving through a newspaper, he found a training centre for me in Cheras.”
She added: “I know it may seem like just a sport to some people, but diving has really affected all areas of my life, and I am proud of where it has brought me so far.”
Dhabitah has battled injuries to her body and spirit, though her failure at Doha is now just a memory.
“Of course, my biggest worries as an athlete are getting injured or losing a competition. I’ve faced both before, and sometimes it takes a lot to snap out of the negative feelings.”
She shared that during these tough times, the diving community and her closest supporters are instrumental. But above all, she holds the Malaysian people in her thoughts.
“Every win for me is also a win for them,” she said. “This thought helps me to stay focused and determined.
“I have no doubt that the Paris Olympics will be another memorable experience, and I feel so blessed to once again be able to represent my country in a sport I love. I hope my experiences and all the work I have put into preparing myself for this moment will help me make our country proud.”
Whatever the outcome, Dhabitah is determined to remain committed to advancing the sport in Malaysia.
“I have been very lucky to have discovered diving at a young age, and I would like to give that opportunity to others. I hope to inspire young people to find their own love for diving, and maybe one day open my own academy,” she concluded.